US weather service issues coastal flood warnings from California to South Carolina
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The gist
The National Weather Service issued coastal flood warnings for San Diego and Orange counties through Thursday.
Low-lying homes and roads face flooding during morning high tides.
Background
The National Weather Service is the US agency that issues weather warnings and advisories. It issued the alerts as unusually high tides were forecast to reach 7.5-8.0 feet, about 1.1 to 1.5 feet above astronomical projections, peaking in the morning hours Monday through Wednesday. The warnings come after flooding earlier this month covered parts of the Balboa Peninsula in Newport Beach, and as San Diego's coastline has already seen widespread erosion. Separately, warnings tied to the fall King Tide event were in effect across parts of South Florida, Georgia and South Carolina.
How it unfolded
- Oct 23, 2026NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard issued a coastal flood advisory at 12:25 p.m., valid from Sunday 5 a.m. until Thursday 1 p.m., for beaches in San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Ventura and Los Angeles counties.
- Oct 24, 2026NWS issued a coastal flood warning for the Orange County coast from Sunday morning through Thursday afternoon, plus advisories for Los Angeles and Ventura county beaches.
- Oct 25, 2026NWS issued a coastal flood warning for San Diego and Orange counties from Sunday morning through Thursday at 1 p.m., citing near or record-breaking tides; the alerts took effect at 5 a.m. Sunday.
- Oct 26, 2026Metrolink announced it would suspend service between the Laguna Niguel/Mission Viejo and Oceanside stations starting Monday because of the coastal conditions.
- Oct 26, 2026A coastal flood warning was in effect for Palm Beach County as king tides and strong winds raised the risk of flooding near high tide, and warnings were in effect across parts of South Florida, Georgia and South Carolina as King Tides peaked.
Who’s saying what
- Official
- NWS San Diego said significant coastal flooding is expected and told coastal residents to be alert for rising water and take action to protect life and property.
- Official
- NWS warned that low-lying homes, businesses and some critical infrastructure will be inundated, some shoreline erosion will occur in the morning hours, and numerous roads may be closed.
- Public
- Newport Beach resident Laura Hamilton, who has lived there 30 years, said she had never seen anything like it.
- Official
- Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley said county public works and flood district teams were clearing debris from gutters and flood channels and checking that no one was living in the channels, adding "We don't want anyone getting hurt."
Still unverified
NWS cited a small chance for isolated coastal flood warnings, highest Wednesday-Thursday, if larger surf develops.